WaterAid Nigeria, in partnership with the Lagos State Government, has unveiled a five-year $2.5 million “TeamWater Nigeria” project to improve access to clean water in Lagos.
The initiative was part of the global TeamWater campaign, towards rehabilitation of the Ojokoro waterworks and expanding pipeline infrastructure in the Lagos Water Corporation’s Northern Business Region.
Speaking at the unveiling, Mrs. Titilola Oridami-Bright, the Head of Strategy and Transformation at Lagos Water Corporation, said the rehabilitation would restore the Ojokoro waterworks, providing clean water to about 72,000 customers.
Oridami-Bright said improvements to the Iju/Adiyan pipeline network would extend potable water supply to an additional 28,000 residents.
She noted that the project aligned with its goal of addressing water access challenges in rapidly urbanising areas.
According to her, Lagos, with over 22 million residents, faces significant water supply gaps, with only about 10 per cent accessing municipal water services.
She added that the project would expand equitable water services through infrastructure rehabilitation and network expansion.
In her remarks, the Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, Ms. Evelyn Mere, said the project is government-led, with the Lagos Water Corporation providing primary leadership.
Mere described the initiative as a milestone in WaterAid’s urban water supply interventions in Lagos, building on previous successes such as the Akilo waterworks.
She noted that the project was developed through collaboration across WaterAid’s global network, including support from WaterAid UK and WaterAid America.
She said the funding was raised through crowdfunding efforts involving global creators and social media influencers under the TeamWater campaign.
She emphasised the need for transparency, accountability and adherence to best practices in project implementation.
Also speaking, Ms. Amaka Godfrey of WaterAid International, stressed the importance of sustainability and public participation in the success of the project.
Godfrey said residents must be willing to connect to the rehabilitated system and pay for services to enable the Lagos Water Corporation to maintain operations.
“If everyone expects free connections, the corporation will not have sufficient funds to sustain the infrastructure,” she said.
She called on the media and the public to play an active role in monitoring the project and holding stakeholders accountable.
According to her, accurate reporting is essential to avoid misinformation, especially in the era of social media.
Godfrey also urged journalists to educate residents on how to connect to the system and the importance of accessing clean water.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, Mr. Oluyemisi Rosiji, assured stakeholders of community support for the project.
Rosiji said local leaders, councillors and community development associations would mobilise residents to embrace the initiative.
He commended the Lagos State Government, the Lagos Water Corporation, and development partners for facilitating the project.
Earlier, the Managing Director of the Lagos Water Corporation, Mr. Mukhtar Tijani, described water as essential to health, dignity and productivity.
Tijani said the project would rehabilitate the Ojokoro waterworks and distribution network, improving efficiency, water quality and reducing losses.
He reaffirmed the corporation’s commitment to maintaining and expanding the infrastructure, noting that the project would significantly improve water supply for residents.
He expressed appreciation to WaterAid, donors and partners, urging continued collaboration to bridge the water access gap in Lagos.
By Fabian Ekeruche